2022
Thank You So Much For Thinking About Us. I Also Notice, The Lack Of Diversity With In The Google Program, Pertaining To Blacks. I Contribute Greatly
@PaulKang wrote:I was encouraged to share this recent adventure of mine and how my efforts as a Google Local Guide intersected with an important part of American history.
February is Black History Month in the United States and a time to remember, celebrate and honor various aspects of African-American heritage. I live in the American South where there are many reminders of the Civil Rights Movement during the 1950's-1960's. This movement pushed for equal rights for black Americans as well as other disadvantaged minority groups.
The movement's earliest and most powerful moments was the aftermath of the brutal murder of 14-year old Emmett Till in August 1955 in a small Mississippi town. Two white men were charged with murder and acquitted by an all-white male jury in 67 minutes despite overwhelming evidence of their guilt. The two men admitted their guilt right after the trial and never spent a night in jail for their crime.
Why was this so powerful?
Even though she was devastated by his death, Emmett Till's mother insisted on having a public open casket funeral. She wanted the whole world to know what happened to her son and why? Emmett was another in a long line of black Americans killed just because of the color of their skin. The publicity surrounding his death, the trial, and his funeral served to mobilize supporters of the Civil Rights Movement into action.
What does this have to do with Google Maps & Local Guides?
There are several groups trying to keep the physical memories of the Civil Rights Movement alive through historic markers, museums, etc., especially in the American South. These groups can become inactive/defunct along with their websites. There are other people who want to ERASE these memories by vandalizing or removing these markers.
I realized last year that I could do my part as a Local Guide by adding key civil rights movement landmarks to Google Maps with photos so that they would remain accessible to future generations independent of any website. It required extensive research to find the actual physical locations of these landmarks before I added them. I also edited a few others that had incorrect information.
Family Trip to the Mississippi Delta
I want my children to grow up understanding the past so that they appreciate the freedoms that they enjoy today. I took my entire family down to the remote parts of Mississippi known as the Delta. It was so easy to navigate there because I had added/corrected Google Maps listings for several of the Emmett Till-related landmarks.
County Courthouse - Location of Murder Trial & Acquittal
Vandalized historic marker (at Emmett TIll Interpretive Center) for where Emmett Till's body was found. It is being replaced soon.
Restored historic marker for where Emmett Till was accused of insulting a white woman, triggering his murder.
Location of historic marker for where Emmett Till's body was found in a nearby river.
Another view of the location where Emmett Till's body was found.
Unless we have racist Local Guides among us who know how to manipulate map listings, the location and pictures of these historically important landmarks will be available for anyone to find and learn from well into the future.
My family's Itinerary on Google Maps
Emmett Till Interpretive Center
Tallahatchie County Courthouse
Bryant's Grocery & Meat Market
Thank you for allowing me to share my experience as a Google Maps Local Guide.
Paul
And Still Feel Left Aside.
